Skip to main content

Getaround acquires Drivy in $300m deal

US car-share company Getaround has acquired European competitor Drivy in a $300 million deal, expanding its presence into France, Germany, Spain, Austria, Belgium and the UK. Getaround says the deal allows drivers in Europe to earn money by making their car available to rent on its service. Getaround’s patented technology platform - Getaround Connect - enables users to locate and unlock cars using their smartphone. Meanwhile, Drivy offers a smart unlock function – a connected technology which removes the
April 30, 2019 Read time: 2 mins
US car-share company 8262 Getaround has acquired European competitor Drivy in a $300 million deal, expanding its presence into France, Germany, Spain, Austria, Belgium and the UK.


Getaround says the deal allows drivers in Europe to earn money by making their car available to rent on its service.

Getaround’s patented technology platform - Getaround Connect - enables users to locate and unlock cars using their smartphone. Meanwhile, Drivy offers a smart unlock function – a connected technology which removes the need for renters and owners to meet to pick up car keys.

Paulin Dementhon, Drivy founder and CEO, says: "Car-sharing will replace car ownership in large urban markets, meeting consumer demands for instant and flexible transportation options, while also making cities more liveable by freeing them from idle cars and reducing congestion and pollution in the process.

Dementhon will remain in his role as CEO of Europe, as will Drivy’s executive team, to oversee European operations.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Video analytics enhances urban rail safety
    December 16, 2016
    David Crawford explores some promising innovations for North American commuters. North America is experiencing a surge in commuter rail and metro development. The US now has 75 light rail and metro networks in operation; and California, in particular, is actively exploring ways of developing the state’s existing passenger rail operations into a fully integrated system.
  • Camera technology a flexible and cost-effective option
    June 7, 2012
    Perceptions of machine vision being an expensive solution are being challenged by developments in both core technologies and ancillaries. Here, Jason Barnes and David Crawford look at the latest developments in the sector. A notable aspect of machine vision is the flexibility it offers in terms of how and how much data is passed around a network. With smart cameras, processing capabilities at the front end mean that only that which is valid need be communicated back to a central processor of any descripti
  • ADAS leads consumer preferences in new vehicle purchases, says survey
    July 28, 2016
    According to a new IHS Automotive global consumer survey, Connected Cars, 55 per cent of annual global new vehicle sales in 2020 will be connected vehicles and at that time, nearly half of the global fleet of vehicles in operation will be connected. Findings indicate that new advanced technologies and increased connectivity are driving consumer preferences as they consider new vehicles. More than 4,000 vehicle owners intending to purchase a new vehicle within the next 36 months were surveyed, representi
  • Q-Free strengthens ATMS business
    March 28, 2014
    Q-Free has strengthened its position in the market for advanced transportation management systems with the signing of a share purchase agreement for the acquisition of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) supplier TDC Systems for an estimated cash and equity consideration of US$16.6 million dependent on future financial performance. Established in 1998, TDC Systems comprises TDC Systems in the UK and its sister company TDC Systems in Australia, both of which are owned by founder and managing director